Compare the2026 Ford Ranger RaptorVS 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Ranger Raptor has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To allow off-road and deep snow capability, Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ranger Raptor. But it costs extra on the Santa Cruz.

Both the Ranger Raptor and the Santa Cruz have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Ford Ranger Raptor weighs 1126 to 1585 pounds more than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Ranger Raptor is safer than the Hyundai Santa Cruz:

	Ranger Raptor	Santa Cruz
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	110	217
Neck Compression	34 lbs.	73 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	157	230
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34.9%	42.3%
Neck Compression	75 lbs.	85 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Ranger Raptor is safer than the Hyundai Santa Cruz:

	Ranger Raptor	Santa Cruz
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	226 lbs.	246 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	47	47
Spine Acceleration	25 G’s	35 G’s
Hip Force	303 lbs.	317 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	473 lbs.	647 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ranger Raptor’s warranty.

The Ford Ranger Raptor’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Santa Cruz’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Ranger Raptor has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Ranger Raptor has a standard 800-amp battery. The Santa Cruz’s 600-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Hyundai.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Ranger Raptor’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 214 more horsepower (405 vs. 191) and 249 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 181) than the Santa Cruz’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Ranger Raptor’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 124 more horsepower (405 vs. 281) and 119 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 311) than the Santa Cruz XRT/Limited’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Ranger Raptor is faster than the Santa Cruz XRT/Limited 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Ranger Raptor	Santa Cruz
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	14.9 sec

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Ranger Raptor’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Ranger Raptor has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Santa Cruz (20.3 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Ranger Raptor has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Ranger Raptor, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Santa Cruz.

For better stopping power the Ranger Raptor’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Cruz:

	Ranger Raptor	Santa Cruz
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.1 inches	12.8 inches

The Ranger Raptor’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Cruz are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Ranger Raptor has larger tires than the Santa Cruz (285/70R17 vs. 245/60R18).

The Ford Ranger Raptor’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Santa Cruz only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Ranger Raptor has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Santa Cruz; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Ranger Raptor has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ranger Raptor’s wheelbase is 10.4 inches longer than on the Santa Cruz (128.7 inches vs. 118.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ranger Raptor is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Santa Cruz.

The Ranger Raptor’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Santa Cruz’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Ranger Raptor more stable handling and braking.

The Ranger Raptor has .8 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Santa Cruz.

The Ranger Raptor has a much larger cargo box than the Santa Cruz shortbed (43.5 vs. 27 cubic feet).

The Ranger Raptor’s cargo box is larger than the Santa Cruz’s in every dimension:

	Ranger Raptor	Santa Cruz
Length (short/long)	59.6”	52.1”
Max Width	62.4”	53.9”
Min Width	48.2”	42.7”
Height	20.8”	19.2”

A standard locking glovebox, optional locking center console and optional locking underseat storage drawer (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Ranger Raptor. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Ranger Raptor’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Santa Cruz’s (5510 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the Ranger Raptor is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Santa Cruz. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

When three different drivers share the Ranger Raptor, the memory seats make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Ranger Raptor’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Ranger Raptor’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Santa Cruz does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Ranger Raptor’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Cruz’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Santa Cruz SEL/XRT/Limited’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Ranger Raptor the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Santa Cruz can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ranger Raptor’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Bluelink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Ranger Raptor’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Santa Cruz’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Ranger Raptor’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Cruz’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Ranger Raptor’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Santa Cruz SEL/XRT/Limited.

The Ford Ranger Raptor has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Santa Cruz Limited.

The Ranger Raptor has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Santa Cruz Limited.

The Ranger Raptor has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Ranger Raptor has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Santa Cruz SEL/XRT/Limited.

The Ford Ranger Raptor has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Santa Cruz Limited.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Ranger Raptor has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Santa Cruz SEL Activity/XRT/Limited offers wireless charging.

The Ranger Raptor’s Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Ranger Raptor was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025. The Santa Cruz has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Ford Ranger outsold the Hyundai Santa Cruz by almost three to one during 2025.